Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.

“Neighbor, how long has it been since you’ve had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili?”

"Neighbor, how long has it been since you’ve had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili?” [Dramatic pause] “Well, that’s too long!”

Wolf brand chili was started in 1895 by Lyman T. Davis and sold in Corsicana, Texas. The chili was first canned in the 1920s and was named “Wolf Brand” after Davis’s pet wolf, Kaiser Bill, who appears on the label.

The tag line “Neighbor, how long has it been?” was trademarked in 1987. Radio and television ads featured the voice of Lee “Pop” Myres.

Wolf Brand ChiliThe Making OfA Legend...
“For generations, the Wolf Brand unique blend of seasonings and good hearty beef have delivered authentic chili taste.”
The original Wolf Brand Chili recipe was developed in 1895 by a Texas ranch cook and Lyman T. Davis. Recognizing that they had something good, the pair brought their specialty by wagon to the oil boomtown of Corsicana, Texas. There they sold it for five cents a bowl in front of the Blue Front Saloon.

By the early 1920s, the chili’s great-tasting reputation had spread, so Mr. Davis began canning the chili. At the suggestion of a local photographer, Mr. Davis’ pet wolf, Kaiser Bill, was selected to grace the label. Suddenly the chili had a name, Wolf Brand, which became as famous as its flavor.

ConAgra FoodsWolf Brand ChiliOverview
For generations, the Wolf Brand unique blend of seasonings and good hearty beef have delivered authentic chili taste. Neighbor, how long has it been since you’ve had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili? Well, that’s too long! Wolf Brand Chili has a great variety of chili, including Chili with or without beans, Hot Chili, Mild Chili, Turkey Chili and Lean Beef Chili.
History
The original Wolf Brand Chili recipe was developed in 1895 by a Texas ranch cook and Lyman T. Davis. Recognizing that they had something good, the pair brought their specialty by wagon to the oil boomtown of Corsicana, Texas. There they sold it for five cents a bowl in front of the Blue Front Saloon. By the early 1920s, the chili’s great-tasting reputation had spread, so Mr. Davis began canning the chili. At the suggestion of a local photographer, Mr. Davis’ pet wolf, Kaiser Bill, was selected to grace the label. Suddenly the chili had a name, Wolf Brand, which became as famous as its flavor.

Wikipedia: Wolf Brand ChiliWolf Brand Chili is a brand of chili con carne currently owned by ConAgra Foods and originating in Corsicana, Texas. Its trademarked slogan, “"Neighbor, how long has it been since you had a big, thick, steaming bowl of Wolf Brand Chili? ... Well, that’s too long!” is familiar to many Texans and is quoted on numerous web sites discussing fond memories of the product or how to acquire it outside the state. Many companies specializing in import of favorite foods offer prices to ship Wolf Brand around the world.

Developed in 1895 by Lyman T. Davis of Corsicana, the product was originally sold as Lyman’s Famous Home Made Chili, but was renamed in the early 1920s after Lyman’s pet wolf, Kaiser Bill.

Texas Best FoodsWolf Brand Chili
The original Wolf Brand recipe was developed in 1895 by a Texas ranch cook and Mr. Lyman T. Davis. Recognizing that they had something mighty good, the pair brought their specialty by wagon to the oil boomtown of Corsicana, Texas. There they sold it for five cents a bowl in front of the Blue Front Saloon. Demand for Mr. Davis’ chili grew and soon Mr. Davis began selling his famous recipe in brick style. By the early twenties, the chili’s great tasting reputation had spread beyond Corsicana. So Mr. Davis began canning chili. At the suggestion of a local photographer, Mr. Davis’s pet wolf, Kaiser Bill, was selected to grace the label. Suddenly the chili had a name, Wolf Brand, which was to become as famous as its flavor. In 1923, the business was purchased from Mr. Davis by J.C. West and F.C. Slawson. But Wolf Brand continued to be made according to the original recipe and its fame continued to grow. Undoubtedly, Wolf Brand employed some memorable marketing techniques. Most notably the can caravan, the vehicles used by Wolf Brand salesmen in the twenties. Each car was designed in the shape of the Wolf Brand can, and in the place of a high-pressure salesmen, carried a live wolf in the cage on the back. (...)

Wolf® brand chili uses rolled oats as a thickener. So little thickener is needed (the peppers seem to thicken it), it really doesn’t matter that much. Masa would work just as good but probably no better than the oatmeal.

Best regards,
Bob
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“Neighbor, how long has it been since you’ve had a big thick steamin’ bowl of Wolf Brand Chili?” “Well, that’s too long.”
-Pop Myres

21 February 2003, New York Times, “A Hunger for Frito Pie, From the Artery-Clogged Heart of Texas” by John Schwartz, pg. F4:
I can always tell a Texan—not by the accent, or by the attitude, or even by whether they wear a cowboy hat or boots (oh, grow up). All I have to do is ask the question from the Wolf Brand commercial, with the proper over-excited growl-like drawl: “Neighbor?! How long has it been since you’ve had a Big! Thick! Steamin’ bowl o’ Wolf Brand Chili?”